ecause only
one can attain the coveted prize. But in the kingdom of God the very
least and the very weakest may shine if they will. Not only can _one_
obtain the prize, but _all_ may have it if they will.

It does not say in this passage that the statesmen are going to shine
as the brightness of the firmament. The statesmen of Babylon are gone;
their very names are forgotten.

It does not say that the nobility are going to shine. Earth's nobility
are soon forgotten. John Bunyan, the Bedford tinker, has outlived the
whole crowd of those who were the nobility in his day. They lived for
self, and their memory is blotted out. He lived for God and for souls,
and his name is as fragrant as ever it was.

We are not told that the merchants are going to shine. Who can tell
the name of any of the millionaires of Daniel's day? They were all
buried in oblivion a few years after their death. Who were the mighty
conquerors of that day? But few can tell. It is true that we hear of
Nebuchadnezzar, but probably we should not have known very much about
him but of his relations to the prophet Daniel.

How different with this faithful prophet of the Lord! Twenty five
centuries have passed away, and his name shines on, and on, and on,
brighter and brighter. And it is going to shine while the Church of
God exists. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars
forever and ever."

How quickly the glory of this world fades away! Eighty years ago the
great Napoleon almost made the earth to tremble. How he blazed and
shone as an earthly warrior for a little while! A few years passed and
a little island held that once proud and mighty conqueror; he died a
poor broken-hearted prisoner. Where is he to-day? Almost forgotten.
Who in all the world will say that Napoleon lives in their heart's
affections?

But look at this despised and hated Hebrew prophet. They wanted to put
him into the lions' den because he was too sanctimonious and too
religious Yet see how green his memory is to-day! How his name is
loved and honored for his faithfulness to his God.

Many years ago I was in Paris, at the time of the Great Exhibition.
Napoleon the Third was then in his glory. Cheer after cheer would rise
as he drove along the streets of the city. A few short years, and he
fell from his lofty estate. He died an exile from his country and his
throne, and where is his name today? Very f